The human behavior has a great impact on the environment both globally and locally. The way the humans affect the environment can be either in a positive way or in a negative way. This paper will be exploring the effect of human behavior on the environment. It will also discuss how the environmental cues mold the human behavior. There are also means by which the human behavior can be modified to support sustainability. Social norms and beliefs in a certain locality can influence behavior. In conclusion, I will suggest solutions which are likely to contribute to reducing the unwanted effect on the environment.
How Environmental cues shape behavior
Environments as well can change and shape the behavior of human, mainly the means by which it influences the human behavior is by use of environmental cues. Environmental cues are the environmental elements which pass an important message to the humans that prompt an effective response. These cues alert an individual and encourage them on how to behave or respond to issues regarding the environment depending on how the rest of the community is acting on that particular environmental cue. Therefore, environmental cues are ways and means that shape and molds the way the human behave towards the environment ( Tietenberg, 2016) .
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For instance, litter is an environmental cue, some areas where litter has been piled up in the urban areas, passes a negative message to individuals as they are encouraged to throw away litter anywhere instead of in the trash cans. In this case, human behavior is affecting the environment in a negative way ( Tietenberg, 2016) . Same case, in some areas the place environment is kept clean and no litter in the wrong places. This will make an individual walking in the search area and sees litter on the ground to stop and pick it up and throw it in the trash can. Consequently, the environment has made this individual respond to environment in a positive way. Therefore, this particular cue has contributed to shaping and molding the human behavior ( Tietenberg, 2016) .
How human behavior can be modified to support sustainability
There is great concern that human behavior is deteriorating and there is an urgent need for modification so as to support sustainability and to improve the standards of life. This is not a local concern, but it has reached a level of becoming a worldwide concern. Sustainability explains the good and enhanced relationship between the humans and the environment they inhabit. The rate that the human behavior is deteriorating is alarming, and it calls for change so that the environment that they inhabit can as well meet the needs of the generations to come ( Seligman, 2014).
There are several ways by which humans can be endowed so that they can transform their behaviors. Many people have the desire to respect and take care of the environment, but whenever a challenge arises, they affect the environment negatively. They lack the motivation to live sustainably thus they end up going back to the old behaviors. There is a need for the human to modify their behavior so as to promote sustainability and minimize the negative effect on the environment ( Seligman, 2014). For example, in the use of fossil fuel and consumption of a lot of energy contributes to pollution in the environment. When the human behavior is modified in a way that there is the reduced usage of fossil fuel and less consumption of energy, pollution will as well reduce thus limiting the negative effect on the environment. Also, they are encouraged to use renewable energy, and this will limit the excessive use of fossil fuel. There is also use of recycling method of limiting the negative effect on the environment. Instead of littering the environment, making use of the containers before throwing them into the environment will reduce the amount of litter in the environment. Modification of these behaviors can contribute greatly to limiting the negative effects on the environments and promote sustainability ( Seligman, 2014).
How social norms influence behavior and beliefs about the environment.
Social norms are informally enforced rules that a certain society sticks to and they dictate the behavior of people within that particular society. They contribute to behaviors and the belief of the individuals regarding the environment. Social norms instill some values into the people. Pro-environmental behaviors lead to values pertaining the environment. For example, social norms like recycling the conserving water can stimulate environmental beliefs and behaviors that have little or no harm to the environment ( Wells, 2016). Social norms can affect the environment negatively or positively, for example, the economic value of recycling can encourage the act which is affecting the environment in a positive way when continually done. Adopting the social norms that limit the negative effects on the environment will contribute to the healthy and sustainable environment. Research shows that, when the behavior of human is changed and the positive social norms are adopted, there will be reduced harm to the environment ( Wells, 2016).
Two possible solutions that could successfully change behavior and habits to lessen the negative environmental impact.
There are several ways in which human behaviors and habits can be successfully changed to lessen the negative effect on the environment. Individuals have to adopt this solution so that the environment can be inhabitable for the current and future generations. The first solution that I would recommend is by use of efficient energy sources. Using a source of energy which can be renewed and use of hybrid cars which consume fewer amounts of energy will reduce amounts of pollutants which will negatively affect the environment ( Seligman, 2014). Carpooling is also another mean to reduce energy consumption, as less number of vehicles will be releasing the pollutants. The second solution that can lessen negative effect of human behavior and habits to the environment is the adoption of new technologies. Newer technologies are replacing the old technologies which have been threatening the environment. For example the new technology in recycling. It aims at changing the used products to be used in making new products instead of damping them to the environment. Also, regarding the new technology, manufacturing of products which are environmentally friendly will change the effect on the environment. The two solutions could change the human behavior that will in return lessen the negative effect on the environment ( Seligman, 2014).
People are aware of the effect that they course to the environment and know the dangers that can result in future do to their current activities on the environment. Nevertheless, they are doing nothing much to counter the dangers. A lot can be done to curb the problem if every person takes a small step to change their behavior to reduce negative effect on the environment it can result to be a noticeable change in environment as everyone will take their part. It is not possible to change completely, but a little effort will contribute to a positive effect on the environment. The environment can change the human behaviors as well as their habits using environmental cues. When human race changes and modifies their behavior, there is a high chance of limiting the negative effects on the environment by human activities. This includes the adoption of new technologies and use of efficient energy sources.
References
Wells, N. M., Evans, G. W., & Cheek, K. A. (2016). Environmental psychology. Environmental Health: From Global to Local , 203.
Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2014). Positive psychology: An introduction (pp. 279-298). Springer Netherlands.
Tietenberg, T. H., & Lewis, L. (2016). Environmental and natural resource economics . Routledge.
